Method for sterilizing empty vessels and apparatus therefor



0. POWL EY March 26, 1940.

METHOD FOR STERILIZING EMPTY VESSELS AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed July 16; 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet l OTTO POWLEY Fig. 2. 17

March 26, 1940. PQWLEY 2,194,463

METHOD FOR STERILIZING EMPTY VESSELS AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed July 16, 1938 S Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.4.

wvENraR. OTTO POWLEY O. POWLEY March '26, 1940.

METHOD FOR STERILIZING EMPTY VESSELS AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Filed July 16, 1938 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 J HWE/VTOK.

0110 P0 WL E Y.

Ame/vim Patented Mar.

PATENT OFFICE I 2,194,463 METHOD FOR STERILIZING EMPTY ves- SELS AND APPARATUS THEREFOR Otto Powley, Sunderland, England,- assignor to l R. Powley & Sons Limited, Sunderland, England, a company of Great Britain and Ireland Application July 16,1938, Serial No. 219.641

In Great Britain July 277, 1937 1 I I 9 Claims.- This invention relates'to a method for .the

destruction of bacteria which may be present in empty vessels, tanks, casks, bottles or other containers and means therefor.

The object of my invention is to provide a quick and reliable method for the sterilization of the interior surface or surfaces of empty vessels or by means of shortwave light rays.

In carrying out my invention I makeuse of a ray tube or tubes of asize in accordance with the capacity of the vessel or container to be sterilized, and for large containers I may use a plurality of ray tubes. I

In the case of small vessels such as milk or wine bottles, I use ray tubes of small-diameter and of suitable length capable of being individ ually freely inserted into the bottles through the necks thereof for instance tubes of such small diameter as about three sixteenths of an inch can be used.

The ray tubes I use are those having one power lead connected to one extremity of the tube only, and those suitable for use are ultra-violet ray tubes emitting a high percentage of output in the wavelength-region of between 2000 and 3100 Angstrom units and which are known to possess high bactericidal action, such for example as low pressure mercury vapour discharge tubes constructed of quartz or other ultra-violet transmitting substance.

The insertion is effected by hand operated mechanism or mechanically, the insertion being effected bymoving the tubes into the bottles or vessels the latter being held stationary during the sterilizing operation or vice versa, that is to say the bottles or vessels moved so as to surround or enclose the tubes which are then held stationary during the sterilizing operation.

It has been proposed to sterilize empty containers :by reflecting the raysfrom ultra-violet tubes into the containers through the openings or mouths thereof, the tubes being situated outside the containers. This method is not suitable forsterilizing bottles such as milk or wine bottles since the reflected rays can only be passed through the small opening of the neck of the bottle and would be prevented by the shoulder, connectingthe neck to the body of the bottle, from impinging on a great part of the interior of the bottle where consequently no sterilization would be effected. Moreover much of the power of the sterilizing rays is lost due to the reflection so that even in the case of containers having an internal shape of such kind that the rays can be reflected on tothe entire internal surface thereof, the time taken for the sterilization tively slow.

. In my method owing to complete insertion of the ray tubes, no masking of the rays is produced, the rays being simultaneously and direct- 5 1y projected with. full power onto the entire internal surface of any usual container or bottle.

In the case of small containers such as bottles, groups or rows of a suitable number of the same may be treated alike number of ray tubes being inserted into'the respective bottles or containers either simultaneously or successively.

The annexed drawings diagrammatically-illustrate means for putting the invention into operation.

Fig. 1 is a view in sectional elevation of a cylindrical container or other large vessel with which hand operatedv means for the insertion or removal of three ray tubes is associated.

Fig. 2 illustrates a portion of a row of inverted bottles, such as milk bottles associated 'with means for the simultaneousin'sertion therein or the removal therefrom of a row of ray tubes.

is rela- Fig. 3 is a similar illustration of a like bottle p showing the effective action ofthe rays therein 25 directly emanating from a ray tube inserted in the bottle.

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section of an example of construction of a rotary machine for sterilizing empty. bottles or other vessels by my. method. I i

Fig. 5 is a section on line a--a of Fig. 5 seen in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic side view of an example of construction of the invention incorporated in a bottle washing or like machine.

Referring to Fig. '1:

1 indicates an empty metal or other container associated with ultra-violet or other ray tubes of a capacity and number in accordance with the size of thecontainer to be sterilized.

In the example illustrated three ray tubes 2 are shown, the container being provided with three inlets 3 in its upper surface.

Upon each of these inlets is mounted a hand operated structure whereby the individual ray tubes can be moved and guided into or out of the container.

' Each of these structures is of similar construction and consists of a vertical fixed outer 5o tube 4 open ateach end within which is a slid-' able sleeve 5 at the lower end of which is mounted an insulator block 6 to which the open end of the ultra-violet ray tube 2 is connected.

The sleeve 5 is provided along its length with 55 wheel in the one'or other direction the sleeve p can be raised or lowered and the ray tube 2 fixed thereto moved into or moved out of the con:

tainer.

The lead H for conducting the current for energizing the ray tube would extend through the sleeve 5 and tube 4.

Fig. 2 shows a part of a row of bottles such as milk bottles 52 supported in the vertical but inverted position by means such as a bottom shelf it provided with apertures I 4 surrounded by funnel shaped members l5 supporting the shoulders of the bottles and an upper shelf It provided with apertures I! through which the bottoms of the bottles extend as illustrated.

The ray tubes iii are brought into, or out of the inverted bottles by rack operated, slidable holder devices [9 constructed in the same manner as those described with reference to Fig. 1 but inverted, the slidable tube holders being all simultaneously and equally operated by means of a series of ratchet wheels 20 respectively actuating the respective slidable tube holders l9 and all fixed on a single shaft '2! operated by means of a handle 22.

It is to be remarked that instead of the bottles being fixed and the ray tubes movable therein, in the manner illustrated, the tubes may be fixed and the shelves or a frame supporting the bottles arranged to be vertically movable by rack and pinion means so that the bottles can be moved down over the fixed ray tubes or removed there-- -10. from.

Fig. 3 shows that the rays from an ultra-violet ray tube brought within a bottle similar to that shown in Fig. 3, or in fact any usually shaped bottle, will directly act 'on the entire internal surface of the bottle and sterilization of the same will be completely and quickly effected since the full power of direct rays is made use of.

Referring to Figs. 4 and 5: I indicates the base of the machine comprising a hollow chamber 2 carrying a hollow vertical bearing or axle 3* around which a worm wheel 4 is driven by a worm shaft 5 which can be actuated by power through a belt wheel 6 or by hand, the said worm shaft being carried in bearings F mounted on a longitudinal platform or bracket 8* fixed to the wall of the chamber 2 Supported by a bracket 5 fixed to the chamber Zeand by pillars w carried by the platform or bracket 8 is an annular cam track Il having a 50 surface comprising a low fiat portion or dwell A,

a high flat portion or dwell B diametrically opposite said low portion and sloping portions connecting said low and high portions.

Connected to the boss of the worm wheel 4 is a sleeve it rotatable therewith about the axle 3 and integral with the upper end of this sleeve is a circular platform [3 the said platform being provided with a number of peripheral vertical guiding sleeves or tubes 14* extending through the platform and spaced at equal distances apart and being of any suitable equal number, the machine illustrated being provided Wlth six.

Slidably mounted within the sleeves M are carriers for the bottles or other vessels I5? Each of these carriers'is of similar construction and comprise a. plate Hi on'which a bottle is supported, a tube Il open at its lower end and ,closed at its upper end by a plate l8 upon which the plate it lies, aplunge'r 59 slidable within the tube Il and having mounted at its 5 lower end a rolleritl? rotatably mounted between cheeks 2 l formed at the lower end of the plunger;

The plunger maybe a solid body and in order to prevent angular movement thereof within the sleeve it is provided with a vertical slot 22* '10 through which a horizontal pin' 23 extends the ends of which are fixed tothewall of the tube H Between the upper end of the plunger l9 and" the plate l8 'a compression spring 24 is pro- 15 vided in the tube I 1 7 i i Fixed centrally on the top of the platform l3 is a vertical tubular shaft 25 rotatable therewith about the axle 3 and mounted upon the top of this shaft is a circular horizontal plate 26 20:

carrying the ray tube holders arranged at equal distance apart round the outer part of the plate and being of a like number tothat of the bottle 1 carriers.

These holders are all of like construction'and each comprises a fixed tubular part 21 mounted in orifices in the plate28 and depending therefrom and carry at their lower ends the ultraviolet ray tubes 28 mounted in insulatory holders fiawhichare surrounded and maintained central 30 ized by packing sficonstructecl of insulatory mate rial. Y 1

Exteriorly of the fixed tubular part 21 a vertical slidable sleeve 3! is mounted, the downward i sliding movement of which is limited by means 35 of an inturned flange 32 at the top of the sleeve" which is adapted to make contact with an abutment ring 33 formed on the exterior of the tubular part 21 as shown on the left hand side of Fig. 5.

The base of this-sleeve is inwardly coned as 40 shown by 34 or otherwise inwardly shaped and carries at its centre a guide 35 for the ray tube 28. Within the sleeve Si is a coil spring 36 the upper end of which bears against a second ring abutment 31 formed on the exterior of the tubu- 45 lar part 27 while the lower end bears against the inner junction of the conical base 34 with the sleeve 3|.

The tubular parts 2'! are provided with individual covers 38 (or with an annular cover for5 the whole) and which are in communication by means of tubes 39 or other suitable means with a central chamber Ml having a cover 4|.

The leads 2 for the current to energize'the ray tubes entering the chamber 2 connect the 55 slip rings 43 carried by a' rotatable tube 44 hav ing bearings within the axle 3 and connected to the shaft 25 by a flange 45. e I

From the slip rings 43 the leads pass up the tube 46 and shaft 25 to contact members 46 50 continuing its circular travel returns to the point 70 A, during its travel the respective ray tube is brought within and out of the bottle.

The spring governed plungers provide cushions for the carriers and the sliding sleeves 3| of the fixed ray tube carriers being also spring loaded 75 A bottle is a, v

the mouths of the bottles as they enter the coned portions 34 of the sleeves and travel round the machine will be firmly but resiliently held in the said coned portions until they again become released therefrom. The sleeves 31 act as shields through which the rays from the ultra-violet tubes cannot pass and'since said rays also cannot pass through the bottle an operator will at no time be exposed to'said rays.

In Fig. 5 a clutch 4'! is shown adapted to be operated by a hand lever 48 whereby the belt pulley 6? can be brought into or out of engagement with the worm shaft 5 for the starting or stopping of the machine.

In Fig. 6 the ray tube sterilizing, mechanism is diagrammatically shown incorporated in a bottle washing or like machine of known construction 49 part of which only is shown in side view, and wherein the bottles 50 are carried through the machine in inverted position by a conveyor 5|.

In the construction illustrated the inverted bottles arranged in a series of rows extending across the machine and supported by the conveyor'are' brought in successive rows over a like row or rows of ray tubes 52 arranged transversely of the machine so as to coincide with the bottles and mounted on platforms 53 adapted to be'given an up and down reciprocatory movement while being guided on vertical guide rods 54.

To the platform 53 is pivoted a link 55 to the lower end of which is adjustably connected a tion of the cam in the direction of the arrow the lever 55 will be brought to the position shown in dotted lines and the platform 58 also when the ray tubes will be withdrawn from the bottles.

The conveyor travels through" the machine with movements alternating with periods of rest during which latter the ray tubes enter and leave the bottles to effect the sterilization.

The conveyor shaft 60 is driven intermittently by means of the pawl wheel 6| mounted thereon the drive being effected by the crank 62 and eccentrically pivoted on the driving disk 63 the other end of the crank being connected to an arm 64 while a pawl 65 engages the pawl wheel 6| to rotate the shaft 60 intermittently.

The cam 59 is driven by a chain from the driving disk 63.

The speed of operation and periods of sterilization would be controlled by variable speed gear.

In this construction. the mechanism described is duplicated on each side of the machine and the ultra-violet ray' tubes are always masked as they are shielded by the casing of the machine.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. An apparatus for destroying bacteria present in vessels, comprising a series of carriers for supportingindividual vessels, means for imparting rotary travelling movement to said series of carriers and thereby to vessels placed thereon, a series of vertically mounted ray tubes, means for energizing said ray tubes, means for imparting rotary travelling movement to said series of ray tubes, and cam mechanism for imparting rising movements to said carriers to bring said vessels into operative relationship with said individual ray tubes successively at predetermined "intervals and for predetermined periods, the rising movements of the carriers being followed by lowering movements thereof ,efiected by said cam mechanism to remove the vessels from the ray tubes. v

2. An apparatus for destroying bacteria present in vessels, comprising a rotary platform, means for rotating the same, carriers for the vessels, means for mounting said carriers on the platform for vertical slidable movement relative to Said platform and for rotation therewith, ray tubes of a number equal to that of said carriers rotatable in unison therewith, means for supporting said ray tubes, and a fixed annular cam track supporting and imparting rising and falling movementsto the carrier during their travel to the vessels into a position to receive the ray tubes and to remove the vessels from about the ray tubes.

3. An apparatus for destroying bacteriapresent within vessels, comprising a rotary platform, means for rotating the same, a vertical tubular shaft carried centrally of and by said platform, a housing at the upper end of said shaft, an annular series of ray tube supports carried by said housing each comprising a fixed depending tubular member, a ray tube holder within said memher, a ray tube depending from said holder and a spring governed slidable masking sleeve carrying a guide for the ray tube surrounding the tubular member, spring cushioned plungers vertically slidable in said rotary platform, supporting plates for the vessels mounted on the upper ends of said plungers, rollers mounted at the lower" ends of said plungers, means for energizing said ray tubes, and a fixed annular cam track on which said rollers travel adapted to impart rising and falling movements to said supporting plates and thereby to the vessels to cause the vessels to receive and be removed from about the ray tubes during the rotation of said platform and said housing associated therewith.

4.1 m apparatus for destroying bacteria present in vessels, comprising a carrier for supporting a vessel, means for supporting a vertical ray tube above said carrier, means for displacing said carrier and, ray tube laterally in unison, and means for displacing said carrier and the vessel thereon upwardly during said lateral displacement to cause said vessel to receive said ray tube.

5. An apparatus for destroying bacteria present in vessels, comprising a series of carriers for supporting individual vessels, means for moving said series of carriers and vessels thereon in a rotary path, a series of vertical ray tubes, means for mounting said ray tubes directly above said carriers, means for moving said series of ray tubes in a rotary path in unison with the series of. carriers, and cam mechanism for raising said carriers during the rotary movement of the carriers and ray tubes to cause the vessels on the carriers to receive said ray tubes.

6. An apparatus for destroying bacteria present in vessels, comprising a support, a carrier for vessels mounted on said support, a ray tube mounted on said support and positioned above said carrier,

in vessels, comprising a support, a carrier for vessels mounted on said support, a ray tube mounted on said support and positioned above said carrier, means for continuously rotating said support to displace said carrier and ray tube in a rotary path, and means for vertically displacing said carrier during movement in the rotary path to cause a vessel positioned onsaid carrier to receive said ray tube.

8. An apparatus for destroying bacteria present in vessels, comprisinga carrier for supporting a vessel, means for supporting a vertical ray tube above said carrier, means for continuously displacing said carrier and ray tube laterally in unison, and means for displacing said carrier and the vessel thereon upwardlyduring said lateral displacement to cause saidvessel to receive said ray tube. 9. An apparatus for destroying bacteria presen in vessels, comprising a carrier for supporting a vessel, means for supporting a vertical ray tube o'r'ro POWLEY. 1 

